User:Anna Massie

== MOBILE LEARNING IN THE 21 CENTURY ==

Mobile learning is seen as e learning through mobile technology. It is the way of the future in learning communications, as it enables people to be situated away from an educational centre. M learning is about having to make use of mobile and wireless devices, for example, mobile phones, laptop computers and hand held devices, to help individuals learn just as they would in a class romm. In the 21 Century m learning allows students to no longer have a need for a specfic working environment. Instead students purchase equipments that enables them to take there studies wherever they go. "It is about engaging in rapid, just-in-time learning, fuelled by feedback and the capability of shared and multi-way communications." (Alexander, 2004) This allows students to construct their own learning applications in a forever changing and improving world.

Quinn, Clark (2000), m Learning: Mobile, Wireless, In-Your-Pocket, [Online], Available: http;//wwwlinezine.com/z.1/features/learningcqmmwiyp.htm (08/08/2005)

Doctor Clark Quinn defines m learning as the "intersection of mobile computing and e learning; accessible resources wherever you are, strong search capabilities, which interaction, powerful support for effective learning, and performance based assessment. E learning is independent of location in time of space." (Quinn, 2005) Quinn states that mobile learning is currently at its most achievable position considering the quality and capabillity of the technology that is available. As costs decline, the technology will continue to improve, whilst more people start to become more mobile. However, Dr. Quinn states that there are two major issues that will come to confront mobile learners. Firstly, there wil be an intermittent connection through which manages learning will occur. The problem with this is that individuals will have less responsibility for the processing of their work, as a system will be in place to track and manage individuals learning procedures. Secondly, the issue of cross platform solutions will arise, this enabling all learners to have access to all materials independent of particular system preferences.(Quinn, 2005) The learning process is tracked and then the learnt outcomes are reported back through either plugins or applets, or a stand alone learning application. This then enables the learner to be provided with the next lot of work all well as being rewarded with corporate knowledge, whilst having the ability to communicate the outcomes back through the management system.

Billings, Diane (2005), From Teaching to learning in a Mobile Wireless World, Journal Nursing Education [Online]' 44(8), 343, Available: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=878095791Fmt

The Journal of Nursing and Education published an article on how nursing students have incorporated mobile learning into their curriculum. As health care agencies become wireless so are the learning systems. Mobile devices are making access to information and learning resources available at any time from anywhere. Therefore, the health departments, in particular the nursing industry are making use of the learning technologies by incorporating a more student focussed curriculum, by adding more support from the educators whom are the course designers as well. The m learning academic program is a response to accelerated learning. However, the most unique part about m learning is that the student tailors their own learning program to their own individual speed and experience requirements. The faculty provides guidance and feed back to students whilst they take part in high fidelity nursing laboratories where they make use of clinical skills and real time judgement on human patient simulators. In the health care industry, wireless technology enables students to learn how to use hand held devices to obtain patients information, drug overdoses, and respond to patient safety alerts. Wireless technology has enabled nurses to download patients caring requirements and charter updates electronically. If students require assistance they use wireless lapel microphones to ask teachers for help. Teachers then provide feedback by instantly messaging students on their required skill performance, by sending moblogs(mobile weblogs)regarding their online course.

Massy, Jane (2005) Learning on the Move, E-Learning Age [online] July - August edition, 12-13, Available: http://www.elearningage.co.uk

According to Jane Massy editor of 'Learning on the Move' mobile learning is about having the ability to personally choose to learn through devices that enable the user to feel comfortable and capable of accessing learning requirements in their own time and space. The technological world is offering this opportunity through its wide range of mobile technology. Therefore, why is education making such a minor attempt to incorporate these systems into daily education. Considering when you look at the question of access, a far higher proportion of people have direct access to a mobile phone than a computer. Therefore, why don't schools influence students to make use of these devices in an educational manner. For example, when on excursions, schools should influence students to to take photos with their mobile phones and portable cameras so that it can be recorded and used at a latter date. After all this is what they are for. Jane Massy goes on to state how mobile devices are personal and that they play a major part in the identity of the user, and therefore there use is personalised. (Massy, 2005) Considering users trust mobile technology in ways that they don't trust computers wouldnt it seem reasonable to start incorporating them throughout education. Most e learning of the 21 Century is still focussed on the idea that learning can be a product that is fixed intrinsically and contextually. On an official level people have learnt to distrust anything and anyone that has not got a fixed position. However, on a personal lever society has embraced mobile technology rapidly, possibly becasue a ubiquitous connection allows people to feel more secure. Therefore, mobile learning is about moving beyond the idea of a fixed classroom with standard features. Instead it is about groups of individuals learning together regardless of any physical attributes. M learning is about having the opportunity to learn from the world and capture and share from all sorts of places, spaces, events and encounters. (Massy, 2005) Therefore, m learning is the notion of learning from anyone, anywhere and anytime.

Learning Circuits, ATSD's Source for E-Learning, Available: http://www.learningcircuits.org. (08/08/2005)

ATSD is a World Wide professional assocation that was founded in 1944. It serves to 70 000 individuals and corporate members from 120 countries. Therefore, it is the official place for workplace learning and performing professional. ATSD launched its 'Learning Circuit' in 2000. Its goal was to promote the use of e learning, by delivering a body of knowledge on how to teach learning efficiently and effectively through technology. The site aims to provide uses with information on conferences, seminars, publishings, research reports, policy iniatives, and partnerships that are occuring around the world in relation to e learning. Therefore, the site logo states, 'linking people, learning and performance.' The learning circuit website provides a wide range of research articles ranging from e learning fundamentals, to the design and development of e learning as well as the management implementations and the tools and technology involved in e learning. I personally beleive that this website offers a wide range of information for the e learning enthusiast. The beauty of it is that is it easy to use, therefore, they welcome any contributors to become members to help update the website.

My Learning World, Available: http://www.mylearningworld.com. (08/08/2005)

When looking into mobile learning, 'My Learning World' is a website that is full of a wide variety of interactive and non interactive information. it is a virtual community for mobile learning professionals. The website has two main sections, these being a discussion section and an article section, and they both look at anything to do with m learning and e learning in regards to corporate and educational learning. The beauty of this website is that it is a place where anyone can go and learn interesting information about mobile learning easily. However, to take part in discussion forums you have to become a member. Members create discussion forums on topics that they wish to hear other interested m learners opinions on. For example, they investigate what kind of mobile phones or laptops other members prefer, before they go and buy their own. The other half of the website is full of articles that are informative as well as entertaining. For example there is articles on communication crises in the mobile/media industry, as well as the new mobile language systems that have been developed for pocket PC's. One of the most interesting features 'My Learning World' offers is a virtual network stock exchange, or as the site calls is a Network Virtual Stock Exchange. This is a virtual trading centre that allows members of the MBA Association to buy and sell virtual shares in participating networked websites. Part of the revenue that is then generated through members activity is then redistributed back to the most active contributors, these being the shareholders. The way the system works is that each day owners of particpating websites distribute US Dollars to their virtual sharholders in proportion to the number of shares they hold. Whilst the website grows so to do the dividends, which results in a rise in the virtual share prices. This website also offers reviews on books, DVD's, electronics, magazines, office products, PC hardware, mobile phones and cameras as well as anything that will enhance the ability for individuals to have a mobile lifestlye whilst learning at the same time.

Anna Massie 13:01, 12 Aug 2005 (EST)